Tapestry from the royal manufacture of Beauvais,... Lot 182

Tapestry from the royal manufacture of Beauvais, late 17th early 18th century. Enhanced with gold threads, rare for the manufacture of Beauvais Mythological scene on the theme of metamorphoses "Aréthuse pursued by the river Alphée" For Ovid, Aréthuse is a nymph in the procession of Diana, being the daughter of Nereus, she is also Nereus, Alphée is a river god. "Aréthuse, pursued by Alphée, is turned into a fountain". In the centre, a landscape planted with trees. In the background, the relief made up of hills and mountains can be seen. Aréthuse, turned into a fountain by Diana, is seen from behind, leaning on a vase from which clear water flows. Above her, a winged love, a finger on her mouth, looks sadly at Alphée on the desperate left of the metamorphosis of the one he loved. On the right, a group of two women and two children. Tapestry surrounded by a border decorated with garlands of flowers and fruit. Dimensions: Top.255 x 492 cm, with a fold in the upper part Technical characteristics: Warps: woollen Wefts: wool and silk with gold threads, especially in the tunics of the figures Fineness of weaving: about 10 warp threads per cm Good general condition, some small wear and tear in the brown wefts and an open relay at the bottom left. Original embossing. Acquired at the auction of the Francis Guérault collection on 16 May 1935.